Re-imagining a recipe is to view it in a slightly adapted fashion, making some type of adjustment, enhancing the dish in some way. Perhaps you do this too, sometimes maybe without even realizing it, maybe you add in an extra ingredient you happen to have on hand, or even change off the brand of a particular ingredient, testing its flavor as compared to another. Today I am re-imagining a recent recipe Post on Spiced Peach Blog, Fennel and Belgian Endive Salad with Dijon and Grape Seed Oil. The re-imagined recipe I am sharing today is a slight variation including naming carrots in the recipe title, an ingredient used in the former recipe, I will not be using sliced radishes as garnish, and most importantly we are going to provide a specific ingredient brand choice. For our Grape Seed Oil, rather than using the specialty store version, I am using the now readily available for you to purchase in the supermarket, Pompeian Grape Seed Oil.

I am very excited on this fortuitous recipe re-imagining for a couple of reasons. The first reason is that in my initial recipe I was unaware that Grape Seed Oil is now available at many supermarkets, specifically, the Pompeian brand sold at both Shop Rite and in the baking section at Wal Mart.Years ago, with its balanced, subtle, flavoring and high smoking point, Grape Seed Oil was an oil mainly used in some French or upscale restaurants and for the most part, at least on the East Coast, only available at food specialty stores such as where I purchased the product prior to Posting my initial recipe. Hence, under the ‘Ingredients’ section of the Recipe in my previous Post calling for Grape Seed Oil, I also provided for other types oils to be used, mainly as I was not sure how many of you out there would either have it in your pantry or be able to find it. I am delighted in sharing this discovery with you which came about through an invitational email making me aware of a contest where I might re-imagine my former recipe using the Pompeian Brand Grape Seed Oil. Ironically, being a Brand loyal purchaser of the Pompeian Red and White Vinegars for my everyday use for years, I immediately printed out the $1.00 coupon (mind you I never use grocery coupons) and planned an early visit the next day to the nearby Shop Rite supermarket.

Those of you who know me well would likely say that what I lack in the area of self-promotion I certainly compensate in my sheer enthusiasm promoting others and likewise organizations of which I am involved so naturally this opportunity brought the color to my face and set my energy into high gear on the Pompeian Grape Seed Oil trail in my journey to obtain the product. My Good Luck began edging into the upfront first parking lot spot right at the entrance to the store and I even remembered to bring the coupon. Minutes later, I likely showed a facial coloring change to sheet white, scouring the cooking oils aisle the Pompeian Grape Seed Oil was no where in sight. Making my way over to the aisle of vinegars lined alongside more oils, including a selection of Pompeian olive oils in assorted sizes and containers still no Grape Seed Oil. My heart sunk, the Shop Rite web site indicated this product as in stock. How was I to provide a Post on this products availability if it was not even available? Well, a big shout out promoting the folks at Shop Rite as they turned the store upside down, including scouring boxes on ladders at the tops of shelves attempting to find this product for me, no kidding, this even before I admitted the important mission at hand. The Pompeian Grape Seed Oil, indicated as in stock indeed was, decoratively displayed in the Produce Section on a stand accompanying the crates of tomatoes, basil, garlic, and a few other assorted produce offerings, some fresh artichokes, I think. On your next shopping visit if you choose to purchase Pompeian Grape Seed Oil you may still find it in the produce section but you will also find it on the aisle with the vinegars and selected oils.

On the tomatoes, basil, garlic, and assorted produce, including, I think, fresh artichokes, anyhow, where the Pompeian Grape Seed Oil sits decoratively displayed, one might note an unusual placement believing olive oil as the only natural combination with this vegetable selection. In fact, Grape Seed Oil serves well an alternative select type of oil that works excellently with these and in many fresh vegetable combinations, as well as in cooking such as my above mention that Grape Seed Oil possesses qualities of being able to maintain very high smoke levels without burning.

In this recipe, using the Pompeian Grape Seed Oil combined with the Dijon Mustard provides an excellent flavor uniting beautifully with the Fennel, Belgian Endive, and Carrot Salad. Did you know that using Grape Seed Oil additionally offers indisputable health benefits including providing a broad range of antioxidants, is high in Vitamin E, low in saturated fats, high in polyunsaturated fats and all in all just plain heart healthy fitting quite well into the growing much desired Mediterranean style diet? Well in fact, using Grape Seed Oil does offer these benefits in full range.

Besides the flavorful, healthful advantages that Grape Seed Oil has to offer it can also be considered being rather sustainable and environmentally friendly in that its derivative is actually the left over seeds and stems from the wine grape harvest that undergo methods including a crushing, distilling, and drying process. The system of this process is a fascinating one sequentially in sync with the many future bottles of wine beginning the stages of the annual grape picking for wine production in countries such as France where Pompeian obtains all of the processing parts towards the Pompeian Grape Seed Oil production.

Throughout the ages, many Europeans too have included Grape Seed Oil in their food preparation, including those among the culinary trade. Speaking of culinary food preparations, with my re-imagined recipe completed and immersed with delight on the ease of accessibility in using Grape Seed Oil more regularly, I am on to imagining new possibilities, some of which I may share on Posting. Possibly a fresh crisp radish salad lightly dressed, perhaps chicken breasts sauteed at high temperature enhanced with garlic, tomatoes, basil, some artichoke hearts too, really anything is possible with a little imagination, and of course, now made so much easier since I have learned this great find, Pompeian Grape Seed Oil.

1-2 Tablespoons finely chopped leaves from one of the Fennel Stalks plus, small pieces of fennel leaves set aside for garnish topping

5 small to medium Belgian Endive, ends cut off, thinly sliced

1- 1 1/2 medium size carrots peeled and thinly sliced

2 teaspoons toasted, chopped Macadamia Nuts

Dijon and Pompeian Grape Seed Oil Dressing

2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard

1/3 cup Pompeian Grape Seed Oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, toss together the thinly sliced Fennel, Belgian Endive, Carrots, and the chopped leaves from one of the fennel tops. In another bowl, add the Dijon Mustard, drizzling the stream of Pompeian Grape Seed Oil a little at a time while briskly whisking, emulsifying the Dressing until all of the Grape Seed Oil is incorporated. Pour the Dressing into the vegetables and stir carefully throughout so that the salad is well combined with the dressing, season with salt and pepper. Transfer Salad to serving dishes or a serving bowl. Top salad with toasted, chopped Macadamia Nuts and garnish the salad with Fennel Leaf Tops.

16 Comments

Another great job, This particular recipe looks absolutley delicious and looks easy to prepare even for us beginners that are trying to learn a thing or two about cooking – I am going to give it a shot and report back. I hope mine will look half as appetizing as it appears in the picture and if it tastes anything like the other recipes then I might become a master chef after all
Thanks for all you do in guiding us beginners and experts with some great ideas that I normally would never think of
Regards

Thank you very much Steven. This Salad is a fresh, crispy, crunchy combination that is a bit unique and very easy for either beginners or experts. I am not sure where you are located but if available, the Pompeian Grape Seed Oil, really does provides a light delicate flavor that complements well mixed with the Dijon. I look forward to hearing your report back. Thanks again for being part of the conversation on Spiced Peach Blog.

Thanks Alex. Yes, I’ve had a request today to bring a bottle of Grape Seed Oil next time I’m down at Tilden and will do, it seems the team are all becoming pretty good chefs along with a lot of healthy meal cooking. Great Job!

Thanks Geleisa, I think you would enjoy it, healthy, light, fresh. It may possibly work for a Tailgate but you can try it before then. I understand some excellent Guyanese spicy chicken and rice dish was prepared by your Aunt the other night- can’t wait to see the recipe and try it, looked awesome too. Thanks again for joining in.

Wow, that’s terrific Roger, thanks so much for your comment, it really is a heart and all around healthy food. Happy you liked it, and I’m sure Pompeian will like you using their brand oil too- only too bad I can’t forward this message along. Thanks so much for commenting on spiced peach blog and being a part of the conversation.

Hey Phil, it is terrific. Definitely great for the summer, something different. Grape Seed Oil is ultimate heart healthy and lots of good stuff. Thanks for your responses on my comments to your recent Posts, you crack me up, definitely. Thanks for the laughs. I’m looking forward to the sometime in the future James Bond, M16 Type Post. Gotta love: theregularguynyc.com]